finalize
verb
fi·nal·ize
ˈfī-nə-ˌlīz 
finalized; finalizing
1
: to put in final or finished form
Soon my conclusion will be finalized.—
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower2
: to give final approval to
The proposed regulations have not been finalized by the … administration.—Mike Duncan
Mike Duncan
Usage of Finalize
Finalize was formerly castigated as an unnecessary neologism or as U.S. government jargon, but it is now broadly accepted. It appears to have first gained currency in Australia (where it has been acceptable all along) in the early 1920s. The U.S. Navy picked it up in the late 20s, and from there it came into widespread use. It is a standard formation (see -ize).
Examples of finalize in a Sentence
They are finalizing their divorce this week.
We bought our tickets and finalized our vacation plans.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tulsa offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Brad Robbins finalized a deal Thursday to join the Horned Frogs’ staff, the Star-Telegram confirmed.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Jan. 2026
Fighters have yet to be announced, but White confirmed in August 2025 that plans for the event had been finalized.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
The following month, when the charter and SCUSD were set to finalize the terms of their charter agreement, district board members demanded more accountability from the school, including a new investigation into the coach which is expected to be completed next month.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 31 Dec. 2025
The two got married in 2007 before separating in 2016 and finalizing their divorce in 2020.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finalize
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Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Jan. 2026
Fighters have yet to be announced, but White confirmed in August 2025 that plans for the event had been finalized.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
The following month, when the charter and SCUSD were set to finalize the terms of their charter agreement, district board members demanded more accountability from the school, including a new investigation into the coach which is expected to be completed next month.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 31 Dec. 2025
The two got married in 2007 before separating in 2016 and finalizing their divorce in 2020.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finalize
Cite this Entry
“Finalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finalize. Accessed 4 Jan. 2026.
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